Why should you buy APIL Guide to Fatal Accidents

Fatal accidents present the lawyer with a set of problems distinct from those of non-fatal personal injury claims. In particular, who does the law categorise as a dependant and how do you calculate the claim for dependency?

The APIL Guide to Fatal Accidents, now in its third edition, provides practical advice on how to run a case involving a fatal accident and how to secure maximum awards for the family, friends and estate of the deceased.

This new edition includes:

* A new chapter on pre-action conduct * A new chapter on damages in anticipation of death * Ogden 7 * A new section on fatal accidents and same sex relationships * A revised chapter on Coroner's Inquests following the implementation of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 and the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013

Useful practical materials such as client questionnaires, draft pleadings and schedules of damages complement the text. In addition the relevant statutory materials and the 7th edition of the Ogden Tables are reproduced for ease of reference.

Contribution from Paul Balen, Freeths

Foreword

Fatal accident claims present one of the biggest challenges to personal injury lawyers. Not only do the tragic circumstances of the case require the utmost in client skills, the relevant law is complex and difficult, damages are generally modest and in some cases entirely absent. Indeed, the level of damages and the painstaking work which must be done to prove them is an aggravating factor for clients, causing upset at a distressing time. Read the full foreword...

Preface

I wrote the first edition of this book in 2002 and the second in 2009. There have been important developments since both editions. There are some welcome developments. When I wrote the first edition same sex couples did not come within the statutory definition of dependant. Now they do. Read the full preface...

Part 2 - Does the Client Have a Claim? The Type of Incident that Can Give Rise to a Claim Is Your Client a Dependant? The Type of Financial Dependency that Entitles a Party to a Claim Limitation and Other Matters that Could Bar a Fatal Accident Claim Basic Principles of Dependency Calculation Sections 4 and 3(3) of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 – Matters Which Should be Disregarded Loss of an Income Earner Damages for Loss of Services and Death of a Parent or Carer Dependency Cases: Parents of Adult Children; Loss of a Child Difficult Issues in Dependency Claims

Part 4 - Non-dependency Claims Funeral Expenses Bereavement Damages and Claims for Loss of Consortium Injuries and Losses of the Deceased Prior to Death Damages for Injury and Losses to Another Arising Out of the Death